RSS RSS Facebook Twitter Email
Pathfinder / Setting / Player Companion

Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the North (PFRPG)

4.10/5 (based on 9 ratings)
Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the North (PFRPG)
Show Description For:
Non-Mint

Print Edition Unavailable

Add PDF $9.99

Non-Mint Unavailable

Facebook Twitter Email

Far beyond the reach of the soft southlander lords lie the frozen forests and icy tundra of the Inner Sea region’s northernmost nations. Here dragon-headed longships ply the arctic seas, nomadic tribes hunt and ride mighty mammoths, and the descendents of the Witch Queen Baba Yaga rule a nation where spring has been forgotten. Whether they’re hardened natives or arctic adventurers, everyone in the northern lands walks a fine line between finding wealth and glory and filling a shallow grave in the bloody snow.

People of the North presents a player-focused, in-depth discussion of the northern nations of the Inner Sea region. Each Pathfinder Player Companion includes new options and tools for every Pathfinder RPG player. Inside this book, you’ll find:

  • Thorough explorations of the different races and cultures that call the frozen north home, from notorious Ulfen raiders to secretive Snowcaster elves to barbaric Kellids.
  • Overviews of the three major nations of the North—the viking Lands of the Linnorm Kings, the savage Realms of the Mammoth Lords, and the evil queenship of Irrisen.
  • New traits and roles to customize characters of every northern ethnicity and nationality.
  • New feats and archetypes for northern warriors, such as the viking and the witchbreaker, plus new icy spells and the winter oracle mystery.
  • Cold-weather adventuring gear and magic items, advice on northern fighting styles, campaign traits, cultural sayings, and much more!

By Matthew Goodall, Shaun Hocking, Rob McCreary, Philip Minchin, and William Thrasher

This Pathfinder Player Companion is intended for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, but can easily be incorporated into any fantasy world.

Each monthly 32-page Pathfinder Player Companion contains several player-focused articles exploring the volume’s theme as well as short articles with innovative new rules for all types of characters, as well as traits to better anchor the player to the campaign.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-475-7

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

Hero Lab Online
Fantasy Grounds Virtual Tabletop
Archives of Nethys

Product Availability

Print Edition:

Unavailable

PDF:

Fulfilled immediately.

Non-Mint:

Unavailable

This product is non-mint. Refunds are not available for non-mint products. The standard version of this product can be found here.

Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at store@paizo.com.

PZO9428

See Also:

6 to 10 of 10 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>

Average product rating:

4.10/5 (based on 9 ratings)

Sign in to create or edit a product review.

Ok, not great.

2/5 —

Basically what you exect as common info for a book about cold regions. Tends to focus on a few player options and leave a lot of others in the cold (pun intended). Very light on the crunch side, especially for non-Barbarians or non-Druids, which arguably needed the most help of any sort of focus from this sort of book.

Undecided on the Winter Oracle or the Viking, (ok, but again basic, not really intriguing or innovative), while the Witchguard seems only suitible for NPC's in most games.

Fluff is nice, if short. Even more Roles than before (yuk), and they do seem very similar, kind of defeating the purpose. If kept, please start moving them to the DM books. The book follows the format of Knights of the Inner Sea and Blood of the Night, so if you liked those two, you will likely love this one. Similar to Varisia, in some ways. If you are looking for a Frostburn-like book, you will not like this one.

Value as a Players Guide: moderate to fairly low

Value as a generic book: decent

Value as a DM Primer (to specific subject matter): fairly high

Fluff Value: good

In my opinion, the biggest three weak points are:
1.) Lack of material to support the flavor, and just lack of well, material

2.) Again, tries to focus on too much flavor, leaving each underwhelming. (note, unlike other books that did this, this one's different focal points are very similar and have decent crossover)

3.) Lack of options for non-Barbarians and non-Druids. A few classes get an option or two, but that's kind of it. Why would you want more Barbarian/Druid material (classes that are already optimized for the "north" frm the CRB, and ignor classes that need help fitting in, (Cleric, Paladin, Cavalier, Monk, Wiz/Sor), particularly in suggestiongs or mechanics that help them function there?

Back on Track

5/5 —

This is the kind of book as a player I purchase. It is chock full of ideas, suggestions, new content, maps and more.

This will be a great aid for my players when I launch my Reign of Winter campaign. Good job Paizo!

Everything I wanted!

5/5 —

As a GM that has been running a campaign in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, this is EXACTLY the book I was hoping to get from Paizo to help support my campaign.

The alternate class features, equipment, and spells are flavorful and setting appropriate. Nothing seems 'out of place', and the book does an excellent job of capturing the various regions of the north.

What puts this over the edge for me, is the fantastic overview shots of all the major settlements, from Whitethrone to Kalsgard (where my current campaign is set).

Overall, a perfect supplement to help GMs and Players looking to adventure in the cold north!

Excellent!

5/5 —

Very very good companion book, if not one of the best.
Everything from the alternative races (snowcaster elves!) to the new spells, archetypes, feats etc is both well written, interesting to play and full of flavor.

The compedium of ice/cold spell at the end is much welcome as are the "Player Tips" for the upcoming adventure path.

That's the kind of product that shows Paizo have mastered their brand and know how to please their audience, with great, rich and exciting supplements.

Just like the Varisia one, if not better.

5/5 —

So, after some meandering and one missed opportunity (Blood of the Night...) Player Companions are back on track. This book gives you pretty much everything you need to know about PCs that hail from Golarion's far north. Both the major nationalities and minor groups are covered, there are gazetteers on each of the three major northern nations (Irrisen, Linnorm Kings, Mammoth Lords), roles, feats, archetypes and the usual stuff. Plus bons stuff for Reign of Winter AP.

6 to 10 of 10 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | next > last >>
Search Thread

Search this Thread:

151 to 179 of 179 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | next > last >>
Silver Crusade
Mike Silva wrote:
So is the Reign of Winter Player's Guide on page 30 going to THE player's guide for Reign of Winter? Or is it just a bit something more?

There's going to be a pdf player guide specifically for Reign of Winter when the first volume is close to release. It's just that they're joining the pdf guides and at least one Companion per AP at the hip, kinda, to point players towards themetically appropriate options.

Shattered Star did the same thing with its player's guide and Varisia: Birthplace of Legends.
Liberty's Edge

I really dig the Varki Landspeaker trait, especially as I have been thinking about how characters who follow shamanistic of animistic faith get screwed on abilities that play off that faith. I'm all for more "spirit" based powers that actually acknowledge that spirits are real and help those who venerate them.

Now if Paizo could make a "People of the Jungle" so the Mwangi can get some spirit love that would be awesome. Heart of the Jungle practically made it sound that Mwangi animism was all superstitious.
Paizo Employee Publisher, Chief Creative Officer
5 people marked this as a favorite.

Such a book is inevitable.

A few moments ago I received access to my PDF copy and I've had a chance to browse through it. I have to say, I'm in love with the visual aspect of the book. The artwork is absolutely fantastic. Massive props to the art/layout team.

Would this product help a new guy flesh out a true "Viking" character for society play?
Heine Stick wrote:
A few moments ago I received access to my PDF copy and I've had a chance to browse through it. I have to say, I'm in love with the visual aspect of the book. The artwork is absolutely fantastic. Massive props to the art/layout team.

I agree what a beautiful book

Paizo Employee Developer
Ragnar Thunderwhacker wrote:
Would this product help a new guy flesh out a true "Viking" character for society play?

There is a viking archetype in the book.

Adam Daigle wrote:
Ragnar Thunderwhacker wrote:
Would this product help a new guy flesh out a true "Viking" character for society play?
There is a viking archetype in the book.

Thanks Adam! Downloaded the PDF and the archetype seems pretty cool. Does anyone know when these archetypes become legal for PFS?

Ragnar Thunderwhacker wrote:


Thanks Adam! Downloaded the PDF and the archetype seems pretty cool. Does anyone know when these archetypes become legal for PFS?

Additional Resources were updated this week. check there to see if the archetype became legal.

Do the viking archetype gain Greater Rage?
Dark Archive
javi ballesteros wrote:

Do the viking archetype gain Greater Rage?

No.

Jadeite wrote:
javi ballesteros wrote:

Do the viking archetype gain Greater Rage?

No.

Is it last word? :_ (

Dark Archive
javi ballesteros wrote:
Jadeite wrote:
javi ballesteros wrote:

Do the viking archetype gain Greater Rage?

No.

Is it last word? :_ (

Unless Paizo decides to errata the book (which they rarely do), yes.

I loved this book.
Natalya wrote:
I tried that. But then I end up shooting my over-lecherous teammates. Then having to carry their body back to the nearest pathfinder lodge. And then the PAPERWORK! When I should be out killing things!

Get a pet/cohort winter wolf. When the horny boys try something, it can eat them for you and you can take care of the actual important business.

Erik Mona wrote:
Such a book is inevitable.

So a People of the Desert book wouldn't be far behind then? (pretty please!)

i asked this on another board but was wondering if anyone knows..is the print copy of thornkeep avalible for ordering now..i want to place a order next week and want the book..but im confused on when it comes out..
Heine Stick wrote:
Erik Mona wrote:
Such a book is inevitable.
So a People of the Desert book wouldn't be far behind then? (pretty please!)

Desert could cover a few different cultures, to, so that would be a good one.

That said, I'm still hoping for a Blood of the Elements/Planes; Would love options for Ifrits, Undines, Sylphs, and Oreads like Aasimars and Tieflings got (and I think expecting one book for all of them is more reasonable than breaking them up)
ThatEvilGuy wrote:
I hope there's stuff on the Varki. I get to play Ulf as a PC since my guy died and I want to, yanno, have some knowledge of the culture.

The Varki get all of a paragraph (which more or less summarizes what we know already) and a single character trait, both on page 15. Bit bummed, myself.

Daviot wrote:
The Varki get all of a paragraph (which more or less summarizes what we know already)...

What some of us know already. Not everyone is as well versed in the setting's lore.

Liberty's Edge

Also the Varki trait is my favorite in the book. It's very flavorful and makes me want to play a Varki.

Sigh.

The viking archetype says this:

Shielded Defense wrote:
This ability replaces armor training.

Does this mean that each step of armor training is replaced (1, 2, 3, 4) as "This ability replaces channel energy." would mean or does it mean

Shielded Defense wrote:
This ability replaces armor training 1.

Berserker states that

Quote:
This ability replaces weapon training 1, 2, 3, and 4.

which is partially causing confusion because it's using both styles of "fully replaces the ability".

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

So, hey, the Paizo writers did a special archetype for Minsk, as I just saw on the D20 PRD website. "Witchguard", indeed. ^^

I prefer to call it "Warder" ;)

Might just end up find one of those old posts and FAQing. Actually, how does that even work? There are no FAQs for non-core rule line products.
Sovereign Court Developer
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Cheapy wrote:

Sigh.

The viking archetype says this:

Shielded Defense wrote:
This ability replaces armor training.

Does this mean that each step of armor training is replaced (1, 2, 3, 4) as "This ability replaces channel energy." would mean or does it mean

Shielded Defense wrote:
This ability replaces armor training 1.

Berserker states that

Quote:
This ability replaces weapon training 1, 2, 3, and 4.
which is partially causing confusion because it's using both styles of "fully replaces the ability".

The wording is confusing, but Shield Defense should replace armor training 1, 2, 3, and 4, as it scales with levels the way armor training does.

I was wondering if the Jadwiga shouldn't also have pale eyes. It's not specified in PotN, aside from the strange characteristics shown by those who are closely related to Baba Yaga. The ethnicity's artwork example does have brown eyes, but that could be a Jadwiga with a lot of mixed blood in her (?) background (or an outright error).

Thanks Rob.

What's the general suggestion behind rules questions for non-Core Line products? Is this style of asking here fine? Or just FAQ it anyways, and the design team will discuss it, and make a new FAQ page for it?
Sovereign Court Developer
Cheapy wrote:

Thanks Rob.

What's the general suggestion behind rules questions for non-Core Line products? Is this style of asking here fine? Or just FAQ it anyways, and the design team will discuss it, and make a new FAQ page for it?

At this point, the design team is only doing FAQs for the hardcover rulebook line. If you have questions about rules in other products (such as Player Companions or Campaign Settings), the best place to ask them is either in the product thread, or better yet, create a new thread in the forum for that line.

151 to 179 of 179 << first < prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Paizo / Product Discussion / Pathfinder Player Companion: People of the North (PFRPG) All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.